IQGAP1 integrates Ca2+/calmodulin and B-Raf signaling

J Biol Chem. 2008 Aug 22;283(34):22972-82. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M804626200. Epub 2008 Jun 20.

Abstract

Ca(2+) and calmodulin modulate numerous cellular functions, ranging from muscle contraction to the cell cycle. Accumulating evidence indicates that Ca(2+) and calmodulin regulate the MAPK signaling pathway at multiple positions in the cascade, but the molecular mechanism underlying these observations is poorly defined. We previously documented that IQGAP1 is a scaffold in the MAPK cascade. IQGAP1 binds to and regulates the activities of ERK, MEK, and B-Raf. Here we demonstrate that IQGAP1 integrates Ca(2+) and calmodulin with B-Raf signaling. In vitro analysis reveals that Ca(2+) promotes the direct binding of IQGAP1 to B-Raf. This interaction is inhibited by calmodulin in a Ca(2+)-regulated manner. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) is unable to stimulate B-Raf activity in fibroblasts treated with the Ca(2+) ionophore A23187. In contrast, chelation of intracellular free Ca(2+) concentrations ([Ca(2+)](i)) significantly enhances EGF-stimulated B-Raf activity, an effect that is dependent on IQGAP1. Incubation of cells with EGF augments the association of B-Raf with IQGAP1. Moreover, Ca(2+) regulates the association of B-Raf with IQGAP1 in cells. Increasing [Ca(2+)](i) with Ca(2+) ionophores significantly reduces co-immunoprecipitation of B-Raf and IQGAP1, whereas chelation of Ca(2+) enhances the interaction. Consistent with these findings, increasing and decreasing [Ca(2+)](i) increase and decrease, respectively, co-immunoprecipitation of calmodulin with IQGAP1. Collectively, our data identify a previously unrecognized mechanism in which the scaffold protein IQGAP1 couples Ca(2+) and calmodulin signaling to B-Raf function.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcimycin / pharmacology
  • Calcium / chemistry*
  • Calcium / metabolism
  • Calmodulin / metabolism*
  • Epidermal Growth Factor / metabolism
  • Fibroblasts / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation*
  • Humans
  • Ionophores / pharmacology
  • Mice
  • Models, Biological
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / metabolism
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins / physiology*

Substances

  • Calmodulin
  • IQ motif containing GTPase activating protein 1
  • Ionophores
  • ras GTPase-Activating Proteins
  • Calcimycin
  • Epidermal Growth Factor
  • BRAF protein, human
  • Braf protein, mouse
  • Proto-Oncogene Proteins B-raf
  • Calcium